And yet: Ward says he won’t fight Golovkin at 168 https://www.boxingnews24.com/2017/04/ward-says-wont-fight-golovkin-168/
So I’m sure that you’re aware that this was said AFTER Ward had offcially moved up and became the unified LHW champion and already contractually obligated to fight Kovalev in a rematch.. In June of 2015 when Ward was still at SMW Abel Sanchez interviewed with a certain boxing channel and stated on video that they would only fight Ward at 164.. At that point it was obvious they weren’t going to consider fighting him so it was no point to wait around so he moved up(unlike GGG) and fought the man at that weight..
I honestly believe GGG would have won in their prime because I think he does have the better punch resistance, endurance and better inside fighting. Korobov beat Kov in the amateurs by hurting him I believe, meaning Golovkin probably could too. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be a close fight or that Kovalev couldn't win, but I think Golovkin might get him. I'm not sure Kovalev's chin is as bad or gone as it looks though. He only got KO'd and almost head KO'd before this fight, with the Ward stoppage not really a head stoppage, though he was wobbled. Seems weird it would be completely gone from a few stoppages. I believe he was still damaged from the Yarde fight here and the hydration thing is suspicious, we're not sure exactly what he had to do. Let's compare to the UFC fighter Stephen Thompson who was cold KO'd for the first time by Pettis and he didn't fight until 8 months later to make sure his brain had healed up good a possible. Why didn't he fight a few months later in his hometown event? Because his team gave a **** about his well being.
Great post, especially last bit. Kovs team took the money, it wasn't enough recuperation time, and at this stage he probably would've lost any way. Maybe a very very good decision if you think about, make a few concessions and become multi, making you much richer at the end of your career, MUCH richer, or go through another camp making a fraction of the money and still maybe lose your next fight, because he really is done, even the Yarde fight showed he wasn't throwing win venom anymore, even before that with Alvarez 2...
Im not talking about Fantasy match ups, I'm talking about fights that could have been made but weren't because Golovkin didn't want them and then his fans come to his defense saying that there is no need for it because he would destroy them. Examples; Lara, Trout, Andrade, Charlo, Ward.
Same thing, as that counts for every possible matchup that could have made but wasn't for every boxer, including Alvarez. Certainly when different weightclasses (like 154, 168 and 175) are called upon. Alvarez vs Charlo, Alvarez vs Golovkin 3 (after 2 controversial outcomes), Alvarez vs Ward, Alvarez vs Andrade, Alvarez vs Smith, Alvarez vs Beterbiev, Alvarez vs Derevyanchenko, Alvarez vs Saunders, Alvarez vs whoever at 160, 168, 175. It's still fantasy matchups.
Yes - the Kovalev KO instantly reminded me of Price getting stunned then smashed by Povetkin. I still think Kovalev beats GGG. Both faded but GGG doesn't have the speed to counter as well as Canelo, so Kovalev would be more willing to open up with power shots. That is, if his chin hasn't now entirely departed him.
I don't think Canelo was trying very hard to win rounds, he was just applying pressure till Sergei's pipe's burst